Branstad to Romney: 'Iowans don't like being ignored'

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad fiercely critiqued Mitt Romney on Wednesday, mocking the presidential hopeful's Iowa expectation-setting and warning him that he would meet the same fate as Rudy Giuliani four years ago if he didn't get serious about the caucuses.

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"I think he's making a big mistake ... by not coming here and spending more time," Branstad said at an energy forum here sponsored by POLITICO. "I mean, Romney is dropping in the polls and I think he thinks that he wants to keep down expectations, you know. Well, his expectations may get really bad if he doesn't get a little more serious."

The governor also said flatly that Romney could lose the nomination if he doesn't do well in Iowa.

"I know Romney is putting his focus in New Hampshire, but if he gets clobbered here — if he comes in not in the top three but say fourth or fifth — I think that really damages his campaign on the national [level]," Branstad said.

Such blunt talk from a figure of Branstad's stature — he's in his fifth term as governor and is the de facto head of the caucuses — amounts to a public intervention in Romney's campaign from one of the most sought-after Republicans in the country.

Branstad, who has mused in the past about just how much a former Massachusetts governor could appreciate Iowa, took those concerns to a new level before about 50 people in a high-rise overlooking the state Capitol.

What appeared to spark Branstad's harsh assessment was Romney's decision to skip two events in Iowa this Saturday, a Christian conservative candidate forum and a birthday party fundraiser for the governor himself. Romney has largely avoided the cattle calls in Iowa during his handful of visits this year, choosing instead to campaign by himself usually for only one day.

"Iowans don't like being ignored, they don't like being ignored!" said Branstad. "Romney has been here a few times. I think he's missing an opportunity to be here this weekend and also to spend more time campaigning in Iowa."

Asked about Branstad's critique, Romney's top Iowa adviser only praised the long-serving governor.

"He's a great governor — proud to have worked for him," said David Kochel, who was a Branstad adviser when the Republican previously served as governor during the 1980s and 1990s.

Branstad said he's shared his feelings with the candidate and the campaign privately.

"I've told key people that are close to him about this and I've urged him to spend more time in the state," the governor said.